The Day My Life Began

Chapter One: The Letter

I arrived home on a brutal Monday morning on 17th May 2018, my mom was at work and my dad was fighting in the war with the Russians. Since the government passed a law that all women have to register for the military at 16, a lot of women are being drafted. 

I'm just a regular 17 year old girl, tall, skinny, blonde hair and blue eyes. I look a lot like my brother, Chris. Who is in the Army. Life is hard when you have your mom crying every night about her only son and the love of her life fighting a great war the United States shouldn't even be in.  

I took a seat at the table grabbing a bag of Doritos, waiting for someone to arrive home.  

"Gosh, I wonder what's taking Mom so long to come home." I said, taking to myself as usual. My cat jumped on me which made me scream. 

"Ow! You little sneak!" I giggled.

I hear a car door slam, and my mom walks in, eyes bloodshot and tears streaming down her face. She hands me a letter that reads:

From the Commander and Chief: 

I am writing to inform you, that your daughter, Amanda Marie Molek, is being sent to Russia to fight for the defense of the United States. On the 24th July 2017, Alexandra registered for the United States Military, required by law. On behalf of this draft, your daughter will be sent to Parris Island, South Carolina to begin boot camp for the Marine Corps on the 24th of July, 2018.  

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely,  

Commander in Chief 

Richard Pilheart.

My heart stopped beating, I swear it. I looked up at my mother who was still in tears.  

"Mom.. I thought since Daddy and Chris are in the Army they wouldn't do this!" I said, about to cry myself. The worse part is, the drafting day is on my birthday.

"I thought so too. They're taking another one of my babies away. When Ashley is 16 will they take her away too? She's all I have left!" 

I crumpled up the letter and ran upstairs, crying.  

"Why me? There are so many other people!"  

I jumped on my bed, sobbing. "How will I survive in this war?! It tears families apart!"  

I called up Maria, my best friend. She will help me through this. 

I hope.  

"Hey Manda! What's up?" Maria said, knowing it was me.  

"Oh MarMar, I'm crying!" 

"Why sweetie? What's wrong? Did Dimitri say something again?"

I shuddered. Dimitri, the guy who I thought I really liked. Used me. For his own little pleasures. I closed my eyes, wishing I could forget him.

"No, it's worse."  

"Just tell me already." 

"I've... I've.." I said, choking on my own tears.  

I clear my throat as I say, "I've been drafted. To fight the war in Russia."

She didn't say anything. It was silence for about 2 minutes until finally speaks.  

"Manda.. Oh my gosh.." I can hear her voice crack as the tears fall down her face.  

"I know MarMar. Mom is all upset." 

I heard a beep, she hung up.  

"Damn it!"  

I flop on my bed, and instantly fell asleep.